Diverticulum

A diverticulum is a pouch-like outgrowth from the wall of a hollow organ or structure. It may be congenital or develop later in life.

Hollow organ: An organ containing an internal cavity or passage through which substances can move. A diverticulum forms as an outgrowth of the wall surrounding this cavity.
Meckel's diverticulum: A congenital pouch in the small intestine caused by persistence of the vitelline duct. It is a classic congenital diverticulum and can contain ectopic stomach or pancreatic tissue.
Diverticulosis: The presence of diverticula, especially in the colon, without necessarily causing symptoms or inflammation. It names the condition of having multiple diverticula, rather than a single anatomical pouch.
Diverticular disease: A group of conditions involving colonic diverticula, including asymptomatic diverticulosis and symptomatic complications. The term places colonic pouches and their clinical consequences within a broader disease category.
Diverticulum versus diverticulosis: A distinction between one anatomical pouch and the presence of diverticula as a condition. The singular structure should not be confused with the condition of having diverticula.
Mucosa: A moist tissue layer lining internal passages and cavities that connect with the exterior. Many acquired gastrointestinal diverticula consist mainly of mucosa and submucosa protruding through muscle.
Zenker's diverticulum: A pouch of the pharynx that protrudes through a weak area near the upper esophageal sphincter. It illustrates how swallowing dysfunction and pressure can produce a diverticulum above the esophagus.
Diverticulitis: Inflammation of one or more diverticula, most commonly in the colon. Inflammation is a possible complication of diverticula, not part of their definition.
Colonoscopy: An examination of the colon using a flexible camera inserted through the anus. It can identify colonic diverticula, though acute inflammation can make the procedure inappropriate.
Diverticulum versus diverticulitis: A distinction between a pouch in an organ wall and inflammation affecting such a pouch. A diverticulum can exist without diverticulitis, and inflammation is a separate diagnosis.

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Crop (anatomy)Related: Many crops are pouch-like expansions of the esophagus or another foregut region.